Undergraduate / Jerry, I said I wanted to learn how to play keyboard;MSU-Describe a significant experience [3]

A BIG LESSON
Growing up, I was used to phrases such as "do not talk to strangers" and "mind your business." As a result, I neither talked nor started up conversations with unfamiliar persons, but the process of keeping to myself ended in a life changing way when I decided to learn how to play the keyboard, and ever since it has been an experience I hold dearly.

Seeing a keyboard at first, I thought only by placing my fingers on the keys, I would produce those melodious tunes I normally heard, but the first time I tried, I was irritated by the sound that treated my ear. How then does Jerry (my church keyboardist) plays it; was it by magic, I wondered. For every Sunday I went to church I wished I was the one standing in front of the keyboard, making the whole congregation to dance. The more I wished, the more I saw the uniqueness in playing keyboard.

It all started one Saturday when I came to church and found Jerry rehearsing. I told him I would like to become a keyboardist just like him (in a shy manner, as I was afraid starting discussions), and with less hesitation he consented. Firstly, he told me to strike my fingers on a wooden chair, one after the other in a way that would produce a cracking sound. This I had barely done for an hour before I became impatient to learn. "Jerry, I said I wanted to learn how to play keyboard not this," I quarried. He laughed and told me to be patient. "What I told you to do is a finger exercise, it will make your fingers flexible" he answered. As time went on I began to master the art; he taught me musical notes and chords and as a result I began to play well. I improved, although I battled with my impatience.

One Sunday morning when I came to church for our normal Sunday service, Jerry saw me and told me to go and play the keyboard. At first I was confused and my legs began to shake. Speechlessly, I went to the keyboard as the service was about to commence and I started to play as a chorister led the praise and worship section. My dream came true as I saw the congregation dancing to my melody. After the service, Jerry came to me and said, "Congratulations, I just found myself a partner."

From this experience, Jerry taught me that apart from determination, patience is the paramount virtue I needed to achieve my goal (which was to learn how to play the keyboard with great skill). In addition, I was very surprised to be taught without any cost; by someone I was neither related to by blood nor even by tribe.